BRITAIN’S economy has seen a boost this quarter, as glorious weather drove a 0.4 per cent boost. The Beast from the East saw the economy slow at the beginning of the year, but in the last three months has seen an upturn. Strong figures from the services sector and construction pushed up the figures, but cars and planes exports saw a slight dip. The figures compare to just 0.1 per cent growth in the first three months of the year, as the poor weather hit the economy. Head of National Accounts Rob Kent-Smith said: “The economy picked up a little in the second quarter with both retail sales and construction helped by the good weather and rebounding from the effects of the snow earlier in the year.” “However, manufacturing continued to fall back from its high point at the end of last year and underlying growth remained modest by historical standards. “The UK’s trade deficit noticeably worsened as exports of cars and planes declined sharply while imports rose.” VEILED THREATS Furious Tories turn on party after probe launched into BoJo burka jibe BEAN BACKS BOJO Rowan Atkinson says Boris shouldn’t have to apologise for ‘good’ burka joke FREE MOVEMENT DEAL Brussels preparing to drop free-movement demands to end Brexit deadlock PRITI DIRE WARNING Priti Patel says May’s soft Brexit plan could cost Tories seats up North PM’S HALAL ROW No10 accused of trying to censor photo of PM visiting halal butcher CHEEKY JEZ JIBE Jeremy Corbyn told to get his… [Read full story]